CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 6,821	$ 14,365
Cost of goods sold	(7,792)	(13,615)
Gross profit	(971)	750
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	734	1,433
General and administrative	2,064	1,976
Research and development	186	150
Total operating expenses	2,984	3,559
Loss from operations	(3,955)	(2,809)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(876)	(822)
Loss from equity investment in joint venture		(485)
Other Income	124	188
Total other income (expense)	(752)	(1,119)
Loss before income taxes	(4,707)	(3,928)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(304)	13
Net loss	(5,011)	(3,915)
Less: net loss attributable to non controlling interest	1,634	1,155
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(3,377)	(2,760)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(118)	206
Other comprehensive income(loss)	(118)	206
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(5,129)	(3,709)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,692	1,054
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	$ (3,437)	$ (2,655)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	302,518	302,518